| Tecmo said: Hi everyone:
I was just wondering why the Gamecube sold so poorly. I understand that selling over 21 million consoles does not mean its terrible, but when you compare it to Nintendo's previous systems it's obvious to see that something went wrong. I'm not saying a console has to sell a certain number of consoles to be successful, but you would think that a Nintendo system would sell better than a system just starting out in the business (xbox). I remember there was even all these rumors about Nintendo getting out of the hardware business and sell their software to other companies (like Sega does). Which was rediculous, but people still talked abou it all the time. I have a Gamecube, and still play my games because I think it is a good system. It had many good games such as: Eternal Darkness, Zelda, Mario, Mario Kart, Smash bros, Pikmin 1-2, Resident Evil 0-4, Metroid 1-2, a few good Star Wars games, Animal Crossing, and many others. So why do you think the Gamecube sold as it did??? I don't think it was because the lack of good games. I think one of the major issues was how it was marketed. I think, at first at least, Nintendo was trying to market the Gamecube to a younger crowd, and forgot that the people who had been playing their previous systems grew up. Of course I don't think that was the only reason, but I don't feel like typing anymore. So what do you think?
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Lets see:
- Kiddie console with tons of Nintendo games (lack of 3rd party support)
- Worst console design in the past ~10+ years
- Bad brand image (N64 had ruined what they had during the NES/SNES years)
- Lack of core audience (audience was either kids, or hardcore Nintendo users) - Sony had already begun to gather the core audiences, and Microsoft was comitted to get the hardcore/PC users
The problem with their marketing was that they were indeed targeting younger kids - and had no games that anyone that was a teen, or SWM would give a care about, outside of an N-fanatic.
Back from the dead, I'm afraid.
